Tennessee Department of Health says Increased Physical Activity equals Better Grades

Exercise Can Boost Academic Performance

Nashville, TN – Parents looking for ways to improve their child’s academic performance might find running paths, gyms and swim lanes as valuable as libraries.

That’s the message Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, delivered this week to more than 300 professionals attending the annual Tennessee Public Health Association conference in Franklin.

“Numerous studies by reputable organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have shown an important association between physical activity and academic performance,” Dreyzehner said. “While many parents realize regular exercise and physical activity can help build healthy bodies, decrease risk for some chronic diseases, reduce stress and improve self-esteem, sometimes we forget improved physical health can impact what happens in the classroom and how children learn.” [Read more]

“Eat Well, Play More” Plan to reduce Obesity in Tennessee

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen and Health Commissioner Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN, released Tennessee’s comprehensive, statewide nutrition and physical activity plan, Eat Well, Play More Tennessee on Thursday, September 16th, 2010. This five-year plan, developed by the Tennessee Obesity Taskforce, provides a comprehensive roadmap to reduce obesity and chronic disease in Tennessee by 2015.

“Eat Well, Play More Tennessee is a call to action for all Tennesseans to take a more active role in improving their personal health and the health status of our state,” said Governor Bredesen. “We are setting a goal of improving the health of Tennessee, and I appreciate the work of the Taskforce members to help us accomplish that goal.”

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